Less merriment and a sense of constriction and solemnity in the air give kati bihu (কাতিবিহু) or Kongali bihu a different flavour. The paddy in the fields is in the growth stage at this time of year, and the farmer's granaries are nearly empty. At the foot of the household tulsi plant, the granary, the garden (bari), and the paddy fields on this day, earthen lamps (saki) are lit. It is a distinctive event celebrated in the Assam region of northeastern India. The practise of lighting the lights stems back to ancient festivals when the lanterns on the paddy field served as a natural pesticide by luring insects and attracting their attention. In the past, growers would spin a piece of bamboo, recite rowa-khowa chants, and cast a spell to fend off pests and the evil eye. This was done to protect the maturing paddy. The Bodo call Kati Bihu "Kati Gasa," while the Dimasa call it "Gathi Sainjora." At the base of the siju tree, the Bodo people light lamps. This Bihu is also linked to the lighting of akaxi gonga or akaxbonti, lamps at the end of a tall bamboo pole, to illuminate the path to paradise for the spirits of the deceased, a custom that is widespread among many communities throughout India, Asia, and Europe.
“TULOXIR TOLE TOLE MRIGO POHU SORE
TAKE DEKHI RAMCHANDRAI XARA DHANU DHORE(তুলসীৰ তলে তলে মৃগ পহু চৰে…)”
Basil is connected to numerous ceremonies and religious beliefs. Ancient Greeks and Egyptians thought basil could help the dead enter paradise by opening the gates. Hinduism regards tulisi (তুলসী ) or Vrinda (holy basil) as a sacred herb. Hindus consider it to be an earthly form of the goddess Tulasi, who is revered as the wife of the god Vishnu and is known as the avatar of Lakshmi. She was previously Vrinda, and she was wed to Jalandhara. In ritualistic worship of Vishnu and his avatars, such as Krishna and Vithoba, offering of its leaves is encouraged. While Hinduism does allow for the worship of trees, the tulasi plant is thought to be the most sacred of all plants. The tulasi plant is thought to represent a bridge connecting heaven and earth. The creator-god Brahma is said to reside in its branches, all Hindu pilgrimage sites are located in its roots, the Ganges flows through its roots, all gods are in its stem and leaves, and the Vedas, the most sacred Hindu texts, are located in the upper part of the holy basil's branches, according to a traditional prayer. Even if one does not worship the tulasi, it is thought that one who waters and takes care of it daily would receive spiritual merit and the heavenly gift of Vishnu.
In India, tulisi is viewed as a representation of purity. Indian homes have used the sacred Tulsi for ages because of both its mythological and scientific virtues. Tulsi is frequently discovered in the garden of a Hindu family since it is thought that Lord Vishnu lives in a home where there is a Tulsi plant. When a Tulsi plant is grown on a family's property, disease, poverty, illness, and any other form of suffering are kept at bay. Naturally, Tulsi must be present at any Hindu puja, wedding, or other spiritual occasion. One of the most important plants in Ayurveda, tulsi is both therapeutic and important.
It has been used for centuries as a home remedy for treating common illnesses like headache, indigestion, and cold and flu. By keeping bugs and bacteria at bay, it protects the body against pathogens and diseases. Thus, frequent Tulsi leaf consumption in tea or other foodstuffs has been shown to be advantageous for boosting one's defence against external pathogenic agents.
Kati month is the starting of winter. Snakes often disappear in the winter months. Snakes hide away in dens called hibernacula to protect themselves from winter.during hibernation, they sleeps or inactive and doesn’t emerge from its shelter. Overall, higher levels of organic pollutants were discovered in snakes that were collected from contaminated areas (such as densely populated, pesticide-treated, and waste processing areas), indicating that snakes can function as effective biomonitors of environmental pollution brought on by organic contaminants. Snakes offer a simple, eco-friendly, free, and all-natural pest management solution. They contribute to preserving a stable environment and ecosystem.Like snakes, tulsi plant produces anti-inflammatory and antibacterial compounds that help in lowering the pollution levels in the air and also minimize the effect of air pollution on the overall well being. In the starting of winter i.e. month of Kati (mid October) snakes often disappears and people of Assam plant and worship tulsi (holy basil) to handover the work of snakes during the period of winter.
So in the Kati bihu, where the Tulsi plant is located, the main lamp is set up. For the occasion, the Tulsi plant is washed and kept on a platform made of earth known as "Tulsi Bheti." For their family's well-being and a successful harvest, they offer gifts and offer prayers to Goddess Tulsi. Throughout the entire month of Kati, this rite is performed.